Elder Evils

Marcus Hape CR 12
hp 60 (12 HD)
Male human rogue 4/assassin 4/thrall of Demogorgon BoVD 4
CE Medium humanoid
Init +8; Senses Listen +10, Spot +10
Languages Abyssal, Aquan, Common
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 18; uncanny dodge
Resist evasion
Fort +7, Ref +14, Will +7; +2 against poison
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee +1 frost longsword +14/+9 (1d8+3 plus 1d6 cold)
Ranged +1 returning dagger +15 (1d4+3 plus poison)
Base Atk +10; Grp +10
Atk Options Combat Reflexes, Thrall to Demon (+1 luck bonus
while performing evil act 1/day), death attack, dual actions
2/day, poison (Fort DC 20, 1d6 Con/2d6 Con), reaching
touch 3/day, sneak attack +4d6
Combat Gear 4 potions of cure light wounds
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th):
1/day—hypnosis (as 30-ft. gaze attack, DC 13)
3/day—touch of fear (as cause fear, DC 13)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 18, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 8
SQ poison use, see invisibility 1 minute/day
Feats Alertness, Combat Reflexes B , Deformity (eyes) B , Evil
Brand B , Improved Initiative, Improved Toughness LM ,
Iron Will, Stealthy, Thrall to Demon B , Weapon Focus
(longsword)
Skills Balance +12, Bluff +8, Climb +10, Diplomacy +5 (+7
against evil), Disable Device +9, Disguise +7, Escape Artist
+7, Forgery +5, Hide +14, Intimidate –1 (+1 against
evil), Knowledge (arcana) +4, Knowledge (local) +8,
Knowledge (religion) +6, Listen +10, Move Silently +18,
Perform +4, Search +4, Sense Motive +6, Sleight of Hand
+8, Spot +10, Swim +4, Tumble +9
Possessions combat gear plus +2 studded leather, +1 frost
longsword, +1 returning dagger (treated with deathblade
poison), ring of protection +1, cloak of resistance +1
Death Attack (Ex) DC 16, paralysis effect lasts 1d6+4 rounds
(DMG 180).
Dual Actions (Su) Twice per day, Marcus Hape can take two
full rounds’ worth of actions in the same round.
Reaching Touch (Su) Three times per day, Marcus Hape can
increase his reach by 5 feet for 1 round.
SPINE TEMPLE
Rituals to awaken the Leviathan take place at a secret
temple located in one of the mountainous spines that
bristle along the great beast’s back. The spine, positioned
not far behind the Leviathan’s head, rises from the water
several miles off the coast. It is entirely featureless, leaving
sailors and scholars alike utterly puzzled as to its origin
and purpose.
Originally used by chaos-worshiping spellcasters to
recharge their arcane energy, the temple has long been abandoned.
Axihuatl learned of its existence during his research
on the Leviathan and intends to use the temple to awaken
the creature, then return the Leviathan to sleep once it has
done its work.
KEY FEATURES
The spine is ideal for Axihuatl’s purposes, since part of it
rises above the water, part of it is below, and the lowest level
contains an opening to the swirling heart of chaos inside the
Leviathan’s body. A single entrance on the surface provides
access to the upper temple.
The upper level of the temple at the tip of the Leviathan’s
great spine is above water, but the remainder is submerged
beneath the waves. Long, dark, and perilous tubes provide
access between levels.
DEFENSES
The temple is a baffling and alarming place for outsiders
(see Encounter Areas, below, for details), and Axihuatl relies
on secrecy to defend it. He does not venture into the lower
levels of the temple very often, remaining content to let the
various chaotic obstacles of the lower levels keep the place
safe from intruders.
ENCOUNTER AREAS
The following locations correspond to those indicated on
the map.
First Level
The uppermost level of the temple is a roughly conical
chamber where surface-dwelling cultists perform their rituals.
A massive shaft of bone, elaborately carved and fluted,
supports the arched ceiling. At the base of the central pillar
is the ritual space where Axihuatl (in human form) leads his
air-breathing followers.
A. Entrance
This tube is dry and leads to an entrance on the surface
(the other three on the level are filled with water after
about 20 feet and lead to the next lower level). The cultists
have fixed a rope ladder to enable easier access (Climb DC
12). The exterior door is located about 10 feet above the
surface of the water and requires a DC 24 Search check
to locate.
B. Ceremonial Circle (EL 16)
The central pillar narrows down here, where a ritual circle
is inscribed in the floor, surrounded by incomprehensible
runes. If cast correctly, Axihuatl’s ritual will in theory wake
the Leviathan for a time so it can smash the lands and sink
most of the continents, and then send it back to sleep, leaving
the world (in the ixitxachitl’s mind, anyway) a far better place.
See encounter 5–1, page 74, for more details.
C. Ascending Transport Tubes
D. Descending Transport Tubes
These tubes are about 10 feet in diameter and were used
for access between levels when the temple was submerged.
Warm water rises through the tubes, heated by the mass of
the Leviathan below, so swimming down is somewhat more
difficult than swimming up. Descending one level through a
tube requires 10 minutes and requires a DC 15 Swim check.
Failure means that the swimmer takes 1d6 points of nonlethal
damage from fatigue.
CHAPTER 5
THE LEVIATHAN
71